Both graduated from Clearwater High — he in 1957, she in 1960. As a paperboy, Jake delivered a daily newspaper to India's home as well as other subscribers on Commodore Street.

With so many opportunities to cross paths, fate didn't intervene until the summer of 1961. The two met just before Jake's senior year at college and courted for two years before marrying on June 15, 1963, at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Clearwater.

They celebrated their 50th anniversary with family in Lanikai, Hawaii, where the couple made their first home while Jake was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.

Jake retired in 2001 as a chief engineer after 35 years with United Airlines. Since then he has worked as an independent airline engineering consultant primarily for Boeing.

Before marriage, India worked for the stock brokerage firm A.M. Kidder & Co. and the former Candlelight Inn on Clearwater Beach.

The Gays, active hikers and tennis players, make their permanent home in San Mateo, Calif., but fly to Clearwater five to six times a year to help care for India's 100-year-old mother, who resides in a Safety Harbor senior living facility. While in Clearwater they attend Calvary Baptist Church.

They have two children, Tracey Awad and Michael Gay, and four grandchildren, Sophia Awad, Alexis Awad, Julia Morgan Gay and Matthew Gay.

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Clearwater's Public Utilities Department is working hard to make the city's water quality a top priority.

The department was recently recognized with six awards given by two national water and environmental associations. The groups unite water quality professionals responsible for ensuring clean water.

In recognition of consistent National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit compliance during 2012, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies awarded a Gold Peak Performance Award to Clearwater's East Water Reclamation Facility as well as the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility. A Silver Peak Performance Award went to Clearwater's Marshall Street Water Reclamation Facility.

For outstanding plant operations and maintenance, and exemplary membrane treatment plant performance, the Southeast Desalting Association awarded Clearwater's Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant No. 1 Facility with the Outstanding Membrane Plant Award 2013. The water plant's chief operator, Fred Hemerick, was also recognized by the Southeast Desalting Association for outstanding service and dedication to membrane operations and for leadership in the industry.

Greg Turman, public utilities coordinator for water production, received a Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to and support of the development of the Southeast Desalting Association.

"The Public Utilities department works hard to ensure that Clearwater residents receive high quality water for all their needs," said Tracy Mercer, director of public utilities. "Water is our most valuable resource, and our team does all it can to conserve and protect our water supply and to provide high-quality reclaimed water."